The CEO’S Syndrome

Monday was hectic and hot. It was just eleven am, yet Joseph had attended five meetings already. Walking up to his table, he took a sip of his coffee and removed his jacket.

Omar came in without knocking, looking handsome as usual in a suit that fitted him like a second skin.

”Woah, bro what if I was with a woman? ”, Joseph jested.

”You don sleep with women when you are completely sober. And you don have sexual relationships with your workers ”, Omar stated proudly.

He playfully pushed Joseph and sat on his seat. Joseph laughed and occupied a seat at the other side, reserved for visitors.

Omar raises Josephs cup of coffee and takes a sip but immediately grimaces and asks, ”Damn. Bro, ever heard of sugar before? Your drink tastes like something the devil made ”.

Joseph raises an eyebrow and asks, ”Why are you here? ”

”I was window shopping and decided to tease you a little bit ”, Omar jokes

Joseph, shaking his head, replied, ”Last time I checked, you don play around during working hours ”.

Muttering whatever, Omar said, ”I have a meeting with the CEO of this company in the next twenty three minutes ”.

Joseph smirked and said, ”Nice try bro but I don have a meeting with you till Friday ”

Omar rolled his eyes and mused, ”Your assistant seems to be slacking off. Maybe shes tired of working for a man who doesn appreciate her beauty? ”

Joseph shrugged and called in his assistant to explain herself. The two friends walked into the meeting room with their teams to conclude the present deal.

After the meeting, Joseph saw his friend off. Only for him to walk into his office and meet his mother.

Ignoring her and sitting on his chair. He picks a document and pretends to be busy.

”Are you going to sit and watch me like some creep? Why are you here? ”, He spoke when she did not say anything but continued to watch him.

His mother had changed a lot, even though she still looked very beautiful with those green lenses that could trap ones soul forever and an hourglass figure that she spends so much time and money to maintain, but she looked older and tired. Like shes stressed out.

She felt hurt by his words. Her son would not forgive her for what she did fifteen years ago. Even though she had done so many ugly things in the past, shes glad that she was able to give him a decent life and that was enough to make her happy.

Smiling, she spoke, ”How are you son? Are- ”

Cutting her words off, Joseph asked clearly exasperated, ”Cut the chase and tell me your reason for ruining my afternoon ”.

She sighed and said, ”I want you to attend a party with us ”

Joseph chuckled darkly and spoke, ”Why should I go with you. I am a businessman and I only attend parties if I would be meeting potential investors ”

”Theres someone I want you to meet ”, she replied calmly

He did not say a word to her afterwards but she sat there and watched her son work for a few more minutes before leaving.

As soon as she left, he threw the document on the floor. Caging his head between his two palms, he thought of his father and the quality time they spent together.

For the past ten years, he had been looking for his father but has made zero progress. He even employed a private investigator to help look for his father.

He traveled to his childhood home to find his father, but was disappointed as he learnt that his father had left after the house was taken and did not tell anyone of his destination. He promised to look for his father at all costs.

A knock on the door brought him back to reality. His assistant informed him of his meeting with a journalist.

”Sir, you have a meeting with one Miss Angela Davis, who is an entertainment reporter at Daily Times Magazine. Should I let her in? ”. His assistant spoke courteously.

Telling her to let her in, Joseph continued his work and mumbled a come in when he heard a knock.

Angela Davis was dressed in a two piece suit and red heels to match her trousers. She packed her hair neatly in a bun. And wore little make up.

When she walked in, she was shocked to see the man she had slept with yesterday. She awkwardly cleared her throat.

Joseph raised his head to look at the same woman he had **ed last. The same woman whose tear streaked face haunted him.

He slept with her. He had used her, just like her ex did.

After a minute or two of staring into her orbs and finding himself getting lost by every single second that passed. He still could not take his eyes off her.

Clearing her throat again, she spoke, ”Good afternoon sir. I am Miss Angela Davis and I am your journalist for the next two hours, shall we start the interview? ”

Joseph smiled and responded, ”Of course.Thank you for coming over ”.

If she wanted to act like she did not know him, then two could play this game.

She gets to work immediately, she settles the camera she came along with as well as her recorder. After testing her equipment and was satisfied with her work.

She helped him fix his crooked tie and arranged a few documents.

Satisfied with her work, she sat away from the camera and gave some introductions to the audience before asking him some questions about his work place.

They finished early. There were still thirty minutes left. Glad to have completed her work in time, she packed her things and thanked Joseph before trying to leave but was stopped by Joseph.

She groaned mentally and turned to face him with a strained smile on her face.

Joseph smirked and moved close to her. Helping her shut the door and leaning toward her, he whispered seductively, ” I want you to ** me till Im ripped into two ”, raising his head a little to watch her reaction, he continued, ”Do those words sound familiar? ”

Angela closed her eyes, opening them the next second, she spoke.

”I am so sorry you had to listen to all the nonsense I blurted out yesterday. Oh and am sorry for making that sloppy move on you, but I want you to understand that I do not go around looking for men to **. I was just very sensitive at that time. I deeply am sorry sir and it will never happen again ”.

Before Joseph could gather his thoughts, she had run out of his office.

If Angela knew that her colleague would be interviewing the man she had slept with yesterday, she would have declined the offer instantly.

But how could she have known? She did not care to check who the interviewee was; she thought it unnecessary.

As she walked out of the building. She prayed that she would never have to meet the CEO again.